San Francisco Planning Commission supports affordable housing project at 2800 Geary Boulevard
June 17, 2021 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Planning Commission recently convened to discuss a proposed affordable housing project at 2800 Geary Boulevard, which aims to transform the former Firestone service center into 42 new dwelling units, including 13 on-site affordable units. This initiative has sparked significant community interest, particularly regarding the project's impact on local traffic and accessibility.
During the meeting, representatives from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) highlighted potential concerns about the project variant, specifically the proposed relocation of the garage entrance from Wood Street to Geary Boulevard. They noted that while the project could introduce delays for public transit, a transportation study indicated that the garage would generate an average of just one car every 20 minutes during peak hours, suggesting minimal impact on traffic flow.
Community members voiced strong support for the project, emphasizing its potential to enhance neighborhood diversity and provide much-needed affordable housing. Ozzie Ramm from the San Francisco Language Coalition praised the development for its commitment to including below-market-rate (BMR) units, which would allow low- and middle-income residents to live in historically affluent areas. He urged the commission to ensure that some units are available to those earning 50% of the area median income to promote social equity.
Several residents expressed concerns about the current Wood Street entrance, describing it as narrow and congested, often leading to traffic conflicts. Richard Crisby, a local supporter, argued that the Geary Boulevard entrance has operated without issues for over 70 years and should be reinstated to avoid exacerbating existing traffic problems on Wood Street.
The meeting also saw calls for transparency in the planning process, with some attendees criticizing the last-minute distribution of meeting materials, which they argued undermines public participation and violates the Brown Act.
As the commission deliberates on the project, the community remains hopeful that the development will not only provide affordable housing but also enhance the overall livability of the neighborhood. The next steps will involve further discussions on the garage entrance and the project's alignment with broader city goals for housing and accessibility.
During the meeting, representatives from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) highlighted potential concerns about the project variant, specifically the proposed relocation of the garage entrance from Wood Street to Geary Boulevard. They noted that while the project could introduce delays for public transit, a transportation study indicated that the garage would generate an average of just one car every 20 minutes during peak hours, suggesting minimal impact on traffic flow.
Community members voiced strong support for the project, emphasizing its potential to enhance neighborhood diversity and provide much-needed affordable housing. Ozzie Ramm from the San Francisco Language Coalition praised the development for its commitment to including below-market-rate (BMR) units, which would allow low- and middle-income residents to live in historically affluent areas. He urged the commission to ensure that some units are available to those earning 50% of the area median income to promote social equity.
Several residents expressed concerns about the current Wood Street entrance, describing it as narrow and congested, often leading to traffic conflicts. Richard Crisby, a local supporter, argued that the Geary Boulevard entrance has operated without issues for over 70 years and should be reinstated to avoid exacerbating existing traffic problems on Wood Street.
The meeting also saw calls for transparency in the planning process, with some attendees criticizing the last-minute distribution of meeting materials, which they argued undermines public participation and violates the Brown Act.
As the commission deliberates on the project, the community remains hopeful that the development will not only provide affordable housing but also enhance the overall livability of the neighborhood. The next steps will involve further discussions on the garage entrance and the project's alignment with broader city goals for housing and accessibility.
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